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The 9 Best Food Storage Containers For Leftovers
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When it comes to keeping food stashed, the best food storage containers for leftovers are all durable, easy-to-clean, and won’t absorb odors or stain easily. These containers are usually made of plastic, glass, or silicone, and there are pros and cons with each material:
- Plastic is typically lightweight, budget-friendly, and shatterproof but it tends to absorb odors and stains from food more easily than glass. However, you’ll find several options below made from stain- and odor-resistant Tritan plastic that can better withstand sauces and colorful spices like turmeric. To keep produce fresh for longer, you’ll also find a plastic container set with a built-in vent system to manage airflow and protect greens, fruits, and veggies from moisture.
- Glass containers tend to be more expensive and heavier than plastic, but they’re naturally more resistant to stains and odors. They’re also typically oven-safe in addition to being freezer-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe. But keep in mind: You’ll want to remove the lid before using the container in the oven or microwave.
- There’s also silicone, which tends to hold on to odors and stains more than glass but since it's more flexible, designs can offer convenience like being collapsible for easy storage.
Whichever material you opt for, all of the picks on this list are BPA-free, so you can microwave and bake without fear of chemicals seeping into your food. These food storage containers are also dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup and almost all of them are freezer- and microwave-safe, too.
Scroll on for highly rated, affordable food storage containers in a range of sizes that will keep your leftovers fresh in the fridge or freezer. I've also included a set of silicone lids that stretch to fit your existing bowls.
1. The Overall Best Plastic Container Set
Made from durable, BPA-free Tritan plastic, the Rubbermaid Brilliance food storage set is safe to use in the dishwasher, microwave, and freezer, and the clear containers are resistant to stains and odors. The leakproof lids with latches provide an airtight seal, and if you want to microwave with the lid on to prevent splatter, there are built-in vents under the latches. The 10-piece set includes five containers in multiple sizes — two 1.3-cup, two 3.2-cup, and one 9.6-cup — with lids for each one. On top of that, the set is stackable to save space.
According to a reviewer: “Made some soup and put the leftovers in it with no leaks! Also tested with jelly beans, salted peanuts and a few cookies. All were not stale after a week in the containers.”
2. The Overall Best Glass Container Set
For a food storage set that’s more odor-resistant than plastic, the BPA-free Bayco glass food storage set is a highly rated pick. The glass containers won’t absorb stains, flavors, or odors, and you can use them in the microwave or oven (just remember to remove the lids first) and the freezer. The leakproof lids are made of plastic and have a silicone gasket that’s removable for easy cleaning, and there are sturdy snaps on each one. The containers are dishwasher-safe, but it’s recommended that you hand-wash the lids as much as possible to retain their shape. The set of 12 containers consists of three different shapes — round, square, and rectangular — in sizes ranging from 1.4 to 4.5 cups.
According to a reviewer: “I love these dishes and use them everyday to store leftovers and to take lunch to work. They are easy to clean, lighter than expected and durable.”
3. The Overall Best Silicone Container Set
Made of 100% BPA-free silicone, this Vremi container set is nonstick and easy to clean, making it great for leftovers. The set of four food-grade silicone containers is nontoxic, odorless, and safe to use in the freezer or dishwasher. The airtight lids have a seal cap vent for splatter-free microwaving, too. Plus, the set is stackable and collapsible for compact storage.
According to a reviewer: “These are easy to clean and even easier to store with the lids on! We use them in the camper, take them on day hikes and for work lunches. Great storage for leftovers. The large red one will hold a whole meatloaf. These do not leak, the lids fit snugly and they’re easy to wash up. Great product.”
4. An Affordable 42-Piece Plastic Set With Easy-To-Store Lids
- Also available on Walmart, $29
With container sizes ranging from 0.5 cups to 7 cups, the 42-piece Rubbermaid Easy Find food storage set works for all kinds of leftovers. The durable containers are made from BPA-free plastic that’s microwave-, freezer-, and top-rack dishwasher-safe. The lids have a rubberized seal to prevent leaks and, for the larger sizes, they also have built-in vents for splatter-free microwaving. To make storage easy, the lids attach to each other and to the bottom of the containers to create a neat stack. While these won't be as resistant to stains and odors as the Tritan plastic set, they're still a great deal. You can even buy a bigger set of 30 lids and containers.
According to a reviewer: “I was finally able to rid of all my mismatched containers! They stack wonderfully and hold a great seal [...] perfect for lunches, leftovers and snacks. I'm very pleased with this product.”
5. Editor’s Pick: A Set Of Nesting Plastic Containers
- Also available at Williams Sonoma, $30
Not only does this color-coded food storage container set include a variety of sizes for all sorts of leftovers, but the containers nest together for compact storage. “I have these nesting food storage containers and I love that they come in five different sizes,” says Amy Biggart, Bustle editor. “There's always one that's the perfect size for whatever leftovers I need to put in my fridge, and when I'm not using them, they sit inside each other so I can save tons of space in my cabinet.” The BPA-free plastic containers come with leakproof snap-on lids, and they’re freezer-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe.
According to a reviewer: “The lids all snap together and the entire set all fits in the large container. The lids fit tight and are perfect for leftovers. Awesome space saver.”
6. Editor’s Pick: A Reusable Silicone Storage Bag
- Also available on Stasher, $13
Rather than reaching for a single-use plastic bag to store leftovers, you can use this self-sealing silicone food storage bag instead. The bag is available in a range of sizes, from mini to half-gallon, and a variety of colors. “I’m a big fan of Stasher bags and regularly use the sandwich, snack, half-gallon, and stand-up sizes. They're super sturdy and lightweight containers and the snack and sandwich sizes are essential for toting snacks for my toddler or myself,” explains Ileana Morales Valentine, Bustle editor. “Nothing ever leaks and my son finds them easy to use. The larger bags are essential for storing leftovers in the fridge or freezer, and best of all: they're all dishwasher-safe.” You can also use them to reheat food in the microwave.
According to a reviewer: “For food storage, these bags can't be beat in my opinion [...] I bought them in multiple sizes and use them for anything and everything. Only ate half an apple or avocado? Toss the other half into one of the small sizes. Leftover soup? The flat-bottomed bag holds it perfectly. I've kept onions and pasta sauce in them without any staining or lingering odor. They go into the dishwasher and come out like new.”
7. A Plastic Set That Keeps Produce Fresh For Longer
To keep leftover fruits and veggies fresh for longer, the Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver containers are super handy. They're made from BPA-free plastic and each container is vented to manage oxygen and carbon dioxide flow. Plus, the durable built-in lid filter never needs to be replaced. There’s also a tray in the container to protect food against moisture that settles at the bottom. The set includes two 4.6-cup containers, and all the pieces are dishwasher-safe. These are also available as individual pieces and in a few different sets.
According to a reviewer: “To test the claims of keeping produce fresh longer, I tested it with spinach. The spinach stayed fresh for over 3 weeks!! Very minimal to no wilted leaves. I'm a huge fan!!!”
8. These Individual Glass Containers In A Range Of Sizes
- Also available on Bed Bath & Beyond, $17
Made of BPA-free, durable borosilicate glass, the OXO Good Grips glass storage container easily goes from the freezer to the oven or microwave with no thawing required. The container is resistant to stains, too. The leakproof lid has four tabs that lock in place, plus a silicone seal that's removable and easy to clean. The lid can go into the microwave (just open the tabs first to avoid messes) but shouldn't go into the oven. The glass container and plastic lid are dishwasher-safe, and there are eight sizes to choose from ranging from 1 cup to 8 cups (shown above).
According to a reviewer: “This container is a good size for leftovers. I made boneless, skinless, chicken breasts marinated in a garlicky lemon sauce. The sealed container held the cooked chicken and kept the garlic smell from the refrigerator.”
9. Editor’s Pick: These Large Plastic Containers That Hold Almost 10 Cups Of Leftovers Each
- Also available on Bed Bath & Beyond, $16
If you have lots of leftovers to store, this Rubbermaid Brilliance set comes with two containers that each hold 9.6 cups of food. Each container is made of BPA-free Tritan plastic that's stain- and odor-resistant and the leakproof lid with two latches creates an airtight seal to keep food fresh. “These Rubbermaid food storage containers are so reliable, and I think they're especially great for transporting. Whereas cheaper storage containers won't properly seal (or will look sealed and actually leak), these have a lid that snaps closed and genuinely never leaks. I really love these,” says Amy Biggart, Bustle editor. For mess-free microwaving, there are built-in vents underneath the latches. Just lift them and microwave with the cover on to prevent splatters. The containers are dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe. You can also purchase a 9.6-cup container as part of the 10-piece Rubbermaid Brilliance set mentioned above.
According to a reviewer: “Love these! Keep losing them to dinner guests who take them home with leftovers so I have to keep buying more! I don’t have a dishwasher but they are easy to clean by hand, and do well with carrying them to lunch/dinner at work on a daily basis!”
Also Great: Reusable Silicone Bowl Lids That Stretch To Fit
As an alternative to plastic wrap, these silicone stretch lids provide a leakproof, airtight seal that’s great for covering leftover food in a bowl or on a plate. The reusable BPA-free lids are made of 100% food-grade silicone, and they’re safe to use in the fridge and microwave. Plus, they’re dishwasher-safe. The six-piece set includes a range of sizes, so you can cover everything from small cups to dinner plates. You can also get a set of 12.
According to a reviewer: “Great alternative to cling film [...] It is easy to put on and off containers. The different sizes are good for a variety of things. The silicone is very thin and it washes well with warm soapy water. It adheres well to containers and is leak proof.”
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